29 Apr Round 2 Review
Round 2 – Match Report – 1st Grade
This week saw the Vikings play their first home game of the season on a cracking Autumn’s Day, with a ground looking a picture at Viking Park. The day was also marking the annual Ladies Day as well as commemorations for Anzac Day, with a large crowd in attendance to watch the Red Men take on old foes Royals in what turned out to be a try fest for the locals.
Royals were looking to take it to the Vikings in the early exchanges and had a big territory advantage with some resolute defense from the Vikings keeping them scoreless. Around the ten minute mark, some smart backline play from a lineout saw bustling centre Joe Wadman make a scorching break to then bamboozle the Blue Bags to jink his way over the line to score a sensational try under the posts for JD Lealiifano to add the extras. It wasn’t long before the Vikings were in again following some great work by the outside backs with some brilliant offloads by Joe Wadman and Lennix Tovo to put Maxy Rovouvou over in the corner to the score to 12 to 0 in favour of the Red Men. Unfortunately, the Viking’s prop curse would strike again, with TJ Sione suffering a head knock around the 20-minute mark that would see returning Frenchman Maxime “Tutu” Turrel take the field. Some bruising defense from Sila TItiuti certainly rattled Royals but they managed to dot over in the corner to see the score 12 to 5 to the Red Men. With Vikings dominating the set pieces and following a great driving maul would see the backline in action again with Lennix Tovo sniping and spinning his way over the line out wide to extend the lead further. Joe Wadman was creating havoc out wide with his power and pace with another scything run before Maxime Turrel would burrow his way over the line following a concerted forward drive from a lineout. After dominating field position and their opposition, the Red Men would head off to the sheds with a very handy 22 to 5 lead before the flood gates would well and truly open in the 2nd stanza.
The Vikings would get the scoreboard ticking over after just 5 minutes of the 2nd half with some brilliant leadup and great hands from man mountain prop Sila Tituti to find Lachlan Hooper on the fly to then see JD Lealiifano bursting down the touch line to score a brilliant try in the corner. He would then duly convert from out wide to see score out to 29 to 5. Following some more concerted forward lineout play, powerhouse no 8, Titi Nofogatotoa would fly through the pack to grab a five pointer of his own as the score ballooned out to 36 to 5. Royals would be next to score with just on 20 minutes to go before the Vikings put them well and truly to the sword with 3 more converted tries. The first of those would see, that man again, Joe Wadman grab his 2nd of the afternoon after proving too hot for his rivals to handle. Next up would find a rumbling Sam Thomas crash over the line from more forward lineout dominance. With time up on the clock, the robust hooker would then grab try number two for the afternoon after a clever set piece move from a lineout that completely flummoxed the Blue Bag’s goal line defense. The final score of 57 to 12 completed an overwhelming 9 try bonanza victory to the Vikings against their arch rivals.
With an outstanding performance across the park from the men in Red to grab top spot on the table after 2 rounds, Joe Wadman would grab 3 Points for his powerhouse display, with flying fullback Lennix Tovo awarded 2 Points with Titi Nofogatotoa picking up 1 point after a stellar display in the pigs. “Smokin” Joe would also grab a truck load of votes to also take out the Player’s Player award to cap off a great day. With the club winning 5 out of the 6 grades, they now take a break with the bye next week before fronting up again at home against the Eagles at Viking Park in two weeks’ time. Go you good things…
Player’s Player: Joe Wadman
3-2-1s:
3 Points: Joe Wadman
2 Points: Lennix Tovo
1 Point: Titi Nofogatotoa
Round 2 – Match Report – 2nd Grade
The Rugby gods turned on spectacular weather for the annual Ladies Day in our first home game at VP.
The game against the old foe in 2s has traditionally a tight scoring torrid affair and the round 2 battle was no different with Red beating Blue 15 to 13 in a low scoring match.
Further injuries to the tight five in training meant another promotion with Fijian favourite Semisi Q being elevated from White for a 17 minute appearance before a knee to the head curtailed his game. Andrew “Robbo” Robinson was a welcome addition to 2s as he made his first appearance for the club this season providing some much-needed experience and glue in the backline.
Some relaxed refereeing around what constitutes a gate meant that the tackle-ruck area was messy affair and phases of play were hard to come by.
A great passage of play through the backs put Tom Hargan over the line for the first score for of the day to Red 5-0.
Royals came back with a converted try and PK to lead 5-10, with Cooper Wright on wrong side of the referee and back to back PKs leaving him in the naughty chair for 5 minutes either side of oranges.
Red finally earning a turn over PK in front of the sticks with ten to go and 8 points adrift at 5-13 Captain Harper signalled points and wunderkind Wilcox knocked the pill over for three points with red needing a converted try to win. Swaniso nearly managed on his own with a line break and sprint for 30m (sure to grow to 70m in re-telling) only to be tackled 2 metres short and spill the ball forward.
Hearts in mouth just before the whistle Red earn another PK and kick for the corner, the maul forms from lineout and baby-face Leiper is at the back ball in hand and head down driving. He learnt from last week and feels the maul depower and begin to wheel peels out and is stopped short, play cycles on and Swaniso grabs a pick and go and burrows the final two metres missing from his previous effort and scores. Scores are tied, time must be up and the conversion to come, young Wilcox is kicking 5 metres in from the sideline for the win. The best strike of the season from Shane seals the deal and Vikings get to sing the song.
Players Player: Bailey Goymer-Peak
3-2-1s:
3 Points: Andrew Robinson
2 Points: Dylan Challita
1 Point: Tom Hargan
Round 2 – Match Report – Colts
Bluebird day for rugby on Saturday in front of the ladies who support us, unfortunately that wasn’t quite enough for Colts who came thumping back to earth at the hands of a good Royals side 28-0.
Roosters one week, feather dusters the next but that was probably the loss that was needed as we now know that it’s going to take more than razzle dazzle to win this comp?
With a score like that there were few highlights from the lads but plenty for Coach’s Southwood and Lealiifano to work on heading into the bye round then Gungahlin at home. Chin up men, last loss for the season aye!
Toilers and grafters were plenty and Tony Lemisio in his first game for the Vikings got the Players Player from his team mates – well done Tony.
All the best to Truck with that injury, hoping you don’t miss too many games and also coming back from injury was Harry Davis in his first game for 2023.
3-2-1s:
3 Points: Tony Lemisio
2 Points: Peron Faimalo
1 Point: Matt Davis
See you all at training!
Round 2 – Match Report – ViQueens
Ladies Day at Viking Park – renamed ViQueen Park for the day! Inspirational pre-game chat from Shellie Milward put the girls on track for the win.
First time across the line for Holly May and a few hard hits from Livinia Samoa. A Welcome return of Michaela Morris and debuts for Olivia Faitua and Beyonce Marcela coming up from our Gen Red program.
Players Player: Beyonce Marela
3-2-1s:
3 Points: Erika Maslen
2 Points: Beyonce Marela
1 Point: Olivia Faitua
Round 2 – Match Report – 3rd Grade
On a cracking autumn day – that almost felt like a brief return to summer a lush looking VP2 beckoned with a Battle Royale between the Red men and the blue baggers.
With Coach Dan bed-ridden with COVID (or maybe it was just a recovery session from recent nuptials) – Coach Talaina took over the keys to the kingdom. We held King sized expectations off the back a strong outing/safari in round one hunting lions. Our eagerly awaited Round 2 match up against a bolstered Royals Team, with several recently abdicated first-grade players joining the ranks, needed no motivation to get one over long-term club rivals.
The first half saw some tense play as both teams settled into the game. Vikings saw some strong combinations across the park, with both sides challenging in tight and out wide. First blood went to Royals with a converted try. However, it wasn’t long before Nick Cushan crossed the line for the first of his two tries for the day. Next to score was the fleet of foot Aedan while Grant Lukins saw out the first half with a well-deserved try after a strong set of forwards rough and rumble play.
The second half opened-up, with strong forward play, a dominant scrum and well worked line-out and maul – however it was the back who put on the razzle-dazzle with well worked plays and some excellent running rugby. Willy Penitani crossing the line, great reward for challenging the Royals defence all day. Stephen Sandy had some miraculous evasion skills in a 40-meter run scything through the Royals defence – beating nearly six defenders with deceptive speed and light feet – but in a coach killer moment a perfectly timed pass went astray. However, Stephen crossed not minutes later on the back of some excellent backline play.
A late surge in the backend of the second half from Royals with fresh legs came – with 2 tries, however there was to be no ‘Royal Flush’ for Royals, while they put up some princely opposition with a tight tussle at the final whistle it was a convincing win for round two, Vikings victorious “reining” in 6 tries final score 38-17.
Post-script: Thirsty-Thirds lived up to the name, on a hot day completely draining the water tub. With thanks to Jono Wilson, the unlucky player nearest tasked with refilling before 2’s.
Players-Player: Aedan Billiards
3-2-1s:
3 Points: Matt Jolley – busy over the park all day cutting down anyone in front
2 Points: Aedan Billiards – a busy day behind a dominate pack, scoring a try and converting three more.
1 Point: Willy Penitani – cutting runs and strong defence had Royals on the back foot all day.
Round 2 – Match Report – 4th Grade
4th Grade had an cracking day for Round 2. Great to see some well-conditioned lads come back into the fold: Owen Barker; Ethan Brazel; and Adam Meyer to mention a few. Many blokes registered to be part of this great squad and four up and coming colts made a huge contribution to our success today. 3 of the 4 Canucks also played big parts in our round 2 win. Great to also see Nathan Hackett lead from the front as Captain of 4’s. Super Stuff all round!
Players Player: Corey Thompson
3-2-1s:
3 Points: Corey Thompson
2 Points: Moses Prescott
1 Point: Nathan Hutchinson
